Image and Audience

Rethinking Prehistoric Art

Richard Bradley

Description

There have been many accounts of prehistoric 'art', but nearly all of them begin by assuming that the concept is a useful one. In this extensively illustrated study, Richard Bradley asks why ancient objects were created and when and how they were used. He considers how the first definitions of prehistoric artworks were made, and the ways in which they might be related to practices in the visual arts today Extended case studies of two immensely popular and much-visited sites illustrate his argument: one considers the megalithic tombs of Western Europe, whilst the other investigates the decorated metalwork and rock carvings of Bronze Age Scandinavia.

Image and Audience

Rethinking Prehistoric Art

Richard Bradley

Table of Contents

I. The Problem with Prehistoric Art 1. The division of the spoils2. Pattern and purposeII. Image and Audience in Megalithic Art 3. Notes from underground4. The lives of statues5. In open countryIII. Image and Audience in Bronze Age Scandinavia 6. Ships on bronzes, ships on stones7. Crossing the water8. The origin of fireIV. Prehistoric Art and Archaeology 9. Losses in translation

Image and Audience

Rethinking Prehistoric Art

Richard Bradley

Author Information

Richard Bradley is Professor of Archaeology at the University of Reading.